Johannesburg Travel Guide
From Wikitravel
Johannesburg [1] (in spoken language also referred to as Jo'burg, Egoli or Jozi ) is South Africa's largest city.
Contents |
Understand
It has an estimated population of 7 million persons. It is widely regarded as the wealthiest city in Africa and thus is at the centre of financial and economic trends in Africa. Yet its riches are not evenly divided upon its people and the city is an interesting contrast between the First World and Third World. The contrast between rich and poor has led to one of the highest crime rates in the world. The haves tend to live in houses with a high level of security by western standards, whilst the have nots live in shacks or cheap housing. The traveller should not avoid Johannesburg because of its crime, since it is possible to have a safe and enjoyable stay if precautions are taken. Many South Africans elect to live here over other, safer parts of the country. Throughout the city, mine dumps are a reminder of the city's legacy of gold mining. These dumps are fast disappearing as new gold extraction techniques have made it profitable for mining companies to reprocess these dumps.
There are many things that are unique to Johannesburg. It features a distinct street entrepreneurship, and motorists are able to buy almost anything from vendors selling goods at traffic lights. This includes food, umbrellas, soccer balls, cellular phone accessories and many other goods. Barber shops consisting of nothing but a chair and an enthusiastic barber can be found on the sides of roads, although they tend to specialise in African rather than Caucasoid hair.
Oprah Winfrey herself has said that Johannesburg is the world's largest man-made urban forest. The city is certainly one of the greenest in the world, considering that the natural land scape is savannah. (Mostly jacaranda trees, which have a purple flower in spring. By the time they start flowering, it is too late to start studying for your exams...). Joburg is also the largest city in the world not on a coastline or major river. The weather is generally regarded as excellent, temperatures reach the mid-30s Celsius in summer with little to no wind and occasional spectacular afternoon thunderstorms. Temperatures in winter can go into single digits but snow is extremely rare.
Get in
By car
A high number of highways from everywhere in South Africa go to Johannesburg, like the N1 from Cape Town and Bloemfontein or the N3 from Durban making it an easy to reach destination. Highways are:
- N1 from Cape Town and Harare in Zimbabwe
- N3 from Durban
- N4 from Nelspruit and the Kruger National Park, as well as Botswana
- N12 from Kimberley
- N14 from Upington and Namibia
By plane
Johannesburg International Airport
Johannesburg International Airport (JIA) is the major airport of South Africa and has flights to many destinations on all continents.
Domestic destinations within South Africa include:
and many other local destinations. Flights from most of the important cities in Africa and worldwide take place.
Some of the local airlines are South African Airways, British Airways (Comair), Nationwide and low-cost carriers 1Time and Kulula.com. South African Airways operates a worldwide network from JIA.
There are daily flights to and from London, Paris, New York and other major international destinations.
Others
Other airports, such as Lanseria Airport or Rand Airport are preferred by charter operators and small airlines. There are regular flights from Lanseria to Cape Town.
See also Discount airlines in Africa and Air travel in South Africa.
There is the direct flight from Bangkok to Johannesburg by Thai Airways
By train and bus
Trains and buses arrive at the central train station downtown. Whilst the station is quite safe, the traveller is warned not to go wandering around the city centre with loads of luggage.
Get around
- Rental car is best as public transport is limited.
Be aware that ongoing traffic diversions will be in effect in Sandton, Rosebank and other areas over the next few years. This is due to the construction of the Gautrain [2] rapid rail link between Johannesburg, Pretoria and Johannesburg International Airport [3]
- Buses are available but routes and times are somewhat limited by western standards.
See Metrobus[4] +27 11 833 5538 for routes and rates.
- Minibus taxis may be used with caution.
Extreme and sometimes warlike competition has resulted in the minibus taxis being cheap and fast. Faster than you'd dare drive yourself!
See
Soweto is an increasingly popular destination for travellers from around the world. The apartheid museum is a worth while stop for any traveller wanting to learn more about the heinous crimes committed against the black majority in South Africa's past.
In 2004 the Constitutional Court was opened in the former infamous prison called The Fort. The city centre used to be notorious for violence, but surveillance has improved, so now one can enjoy the buildings of the gold rush era and the sights from the Carlton Tower.
The Market Theatre precinct, Museum of Africa and Newtown (refurbished with the opening of the Nelson Mandela Bridge) are fascinating. Stroll around in daytime, preferably in a small group, and see both Indian and African traditions alive and well.
Museums and Galleries
- The Johannesburg Art Gallery is the biggest gallery on the African continent.
- Visit the Mandela Family Museum in Orlando West, Soweto (Mandela's first house).
- The Apartheid Museum is a very moving and informative trip through South Africa's turbulent past and present. It takes at LEAST a half day to go through and includes video, pictures and many artefacts that you can easily spend a day looking through. It is located alongside Gold Reef City and is simply a MUST SEE.
- Visit the new Origins Centre and the other museums at Wits University.
Do
- Go on a Township Tour with a tour operator:
- Mrs Franky Toussaint ph: +27 83 656 4385 (robertandfranky@absamail.co.za) Arranges bespoke tours. She knows the townships, particularly Soweto, like the back of her hand and has many links with the residents so can get access to places that other tour groups don't. She is also very knowledgeable about South Africa and also arranges bespoke tours to all parts of the country including the game reserves.
- Gold Reef City is an amusement park with a casino. The visitor can also learn about gold mining and go into a mine here. Unfortunately Gold Reef isn't a theme-park of international standards so if you are expecting "Disney Land Africa" give it a miss.
- Visit the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens in the west. It's a nesting spot for the endangered Black Eagle.
- Take a trip to Constitution Hill, site of the notorious Old Fort prison complex.
- Get some bargains at the delightful Oriental Plaza, a little bit of the East in Africa
- Visit Mai Mai, the oldest market in Joburg. Here you'll see plenty of traditional healers selling traditional herbs & remedies.
- Pay respects at Brixton Cemetery which hosts a Hindu crematorium organised by Mahatma Gandhi.
- Find a vast selection of African crafts at the Rosebank Rooftop Flea Market
- Walk and climb through the Sterkfontein Caves[5] (2 km walk). A tour guide will lead you through this extensive cave system where many early hominids and advanced ape fossils were discovered. You can also visit the museum to learn more about the evolution of man. There is also a restaurant and shop. To get there, drive West along the N14 and look for the Cradle of Humankind signs. Contact them on +27 11 956 6342
- See the South African Lipizzaners[6] in action at their Kyalami hall. Other than Vienna, this is the only place you will ever got to see performing Lipizzaners recognised by the Spanish Riding School. Contact +27 11 702 2103 or book through Computicket[7]
- Play with Lion cubs at the Lion Park [8] near Fourways. The park also have zebra, gemsbok and other antilope. Phone +27 11 460 1814
Buy
There are many craft markets in Johannesburg & surrounding areas. You will also find plenty of beautifully crafted beadwork & wirework being sold on the roadside & at intersections. Though you will be able to bargain with the locals, give a thought to the crafters who are often unemployed & rely on sales to support themselves & their family. Craftsmen and women from all over Africa sell their goods at the Rosebank flea market on Sundays and in a bazaar type shop in the Rosebank mall on week days.
- Sandton City is an extremely vibrant and popular shopping mall with the rich and wealthy of Johannesburg. It is affordable, but be prepared to pay a bit for the good quality you're buying. There are many unique shops here as well as typical South African franchises and even some British stores. You could easily spend an entire day here!
Eat
- The area of Melrose Arch houses many upmarket restaurants and nightclubs, including Moyo (an African-themed restaurant), Kilimanjaro (one of Johannesburg's top nightclubs) and several other casual eating establishments.
- In Sandton Mall, there are many restaurants including Italian, Chinese, Japanese restaurants. There is also a Korean restaurant in Johannesburg (where?!? someone please tell us!) . A relaxing meal can be had on Mandela Square.
- Melville is another neighbourhood where you can find many good restaurants. It is close to the national broadcaster (SABC) headquarters and many artists live in this community. An especially good restaurant is Mezzaluna (9a, 7th Street, Melville, phone +27 11 482 2477, who serve amazing mediterranean food. Dishes include springbok carpaccio, ostrich filet, and Frangelica chocolate mousse.
- Rodizio [9] +27 11 888 7633/4 in Victory Park has great Brazilian dishes and a lively party atmosphere. Live music and dancing.
- Saxon Hotel - has one of the best restaurants in Johannesburg. It is the hotel where Nelson Mandela stayed shortly after being released from prison and where he wrote his book ´Long Walk to Freedom´. This is where you will have one of the best gourmet meals in the city, but you need to have deep pockets.
Drink
- Good pubs and clubs are available in the Melville student district, Newtown cultural precinct. Posh and upmarket clubbing happens in the Rivonia area. Rivonia also contains Liliesleaf Farm, where Mandela and top ANC leaders once plotted to overthrow the apartheid government.
- One of the City's main venues for night time entertainment is Carfax[10], +27 11 834 9187 , in the suburb of Newtown - which is being developed as the city's cultural precinct.
- The Blues Room[11] in Village Walk, Sandton, +27 11 784 5527. Have a couple of drinks while listening to some of the best live jazz.
- The Radium Beer Hall[12] in Orange Grove, +27 11 728 3866. Serving beer since 1929.
- Monsoon Lagoon[13] in Caesar's Palace, +27 11 928 1280. Good nightclub with DJ Sebastian.
- Back o' the Moon Nightclub in Gold Reef City Casino[14], +27 11 496 1423.
Sleep
Joburg is full of accommodation to suit any type of budget, from the ultimate in luxury & expense, to backpacker lodges.
Budget
- The Backpacker's Ritz in Johannesburg has excellent views of the city, reasonable prices and an extremely helpful travel desk with information about all aspects of travel in South Africa.
- Many cosy Bed and Breakfasts are also scattered in the city's lush suburbs, and cater for a traveller on any budget.
Mid range
- Blue Chip Accommodation [15] provides various self catering apartments around the Sandton/Johannesburg area which enables the traveller to feel more at home. The apartments have fully equipped kitchens as well as a lounge with a television/prepaid telephone, bathroom/s, bedroom/s and either private balconies or gardens. All located in secure complexes with 24 hr guard and swimming pool.
- The Lion Park [16] in Fourways have semi-luxurious self catering tents. Phone +27 11 460 1814
Splurge
Joburg also caters for the traveller looking for a luxurious stay, with five-star hotels such as
- The Sandton Sun [17]
- The Michaelangelo
- The Westcliff
- The Melrose arch hotel - Locked away in the melrose arch complex this is a great hotel, with all the facilities you would expect froma 5 star delux hotel.
- For anyone with the membership or even just wishing to indulge in a true 5 star hotel, The Hyatt is located on Oxford Road next to Rosebank.
Get out
- Pretoria is only a short while away from Johannesburg and has a lot to offer a tourist. It is the nation's capital and is almost completely joined to the Johannesburg metro area!
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